Thread the bobbin the same way you thread the needle
A Singer bobbin fills from the same thread spool you use for the needle. You do not need a separate thread source. Place your spool on the spool pin at the top of the machine — the same pin you use for regular sewing — and guide the thread through the bobbin winding tension disc, which is the small metal or plastic piece near the spool pin. The thread path is marked on most Singer machines with a line or arrow.
Once the thread is threaded through the tension disc, wrap it around the bobbin two or three times by hand to anchor it. This prevents the thread from slipping when the bobbin starts to spin. The wraps do not need to be tight; they just need to hold the thread in place long enough for the machine to take over.
Key Takeaways
- Thread runs from the spool through the bobbin winding tension disc before wrapping around the bobbin itself.
- Wrap the thread around the bobbin by hand two or three times to keep it from slipping when winding starts.
- Engage the bobbin winder by moving the winder wheel to the right or pressing the bobbin winder button, depending on your Singer model.
- Stop winding as soon as the bobbin is full; overfilled bobbins jam and break thread.
- Remove the finished bobbin by sliding it off the winder shaft and trimming the thread tail.
Engage the bobbin winder and start filling
On most Singer machines, the bobbin winder is a wheel or button on the right side of the machine head. Slide the winder wheel to the right until it clicks, or press the bobbin winder button if your model has one. This disengages the needle and prepares the machine to wind instead of sew. The presser foot does not need to be down for bobbin winding, and the needle does not move.
Press the foot pedal slowly to start the bobbin spinning. The thread will wind onto the bobbin in a spiral. As the bobbin fills, the thread will wind more tightly and the machine will slow down on its own — this is normal. Do not force the pedal or try to speed up the process; a steady, moderate pace produces an even, full bobbin.
Stop winding before the bobbin overflows
The bobbin is full when the thread reaches the rim of the bobbin but does not spill over the edge. An overfilled bobbin will jam in the bobbin case, break the thread, or cause tension problems during sewing. Most Singer bobbins have a slight ridge or lip at the top; fill the bobbin until the thread reaches that ridge.
Release the foot pedal and slide the winder wheel back to the left to re-engage the needle. The machine is now ready to sew. If your model has a bobbin winder button instead of a wheel, press it again to return to sewing mode.
Remove the bobbin and trim the thread
Once the winder is disengaged, slide the full bobbin off the winder shaft by hand. The bobbin will come free easily; do not pull hard or twist it. You now have a wound bobbin ready to insert into the bobbin case.
Trim the thread tail close to the bobbin with scissors or a seam ripper. A long tail can catch on the bobbin case or feed unevenly during sewing. A short tail — about a quarter inch — is ideal.
Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case
The bobbin case sits below the needle plate on most Singer machines. Open the needle plate by unlatching the small lever or sliding the plate to the side, depending on your model. The bobbin case is the metal or plastic housing directly underneath.
Drop the wound bobbin into the case with the thread tail pointing toward the slot in the case wall. The bobbin should sit flat and spin freely. Pull the thread tail through the slot until it catches in the tension spring — you will feel a slight resistance. Close the needle plate and you are ready to sew.
Troubleshoot if the bobbin does not wind evenly
If the thread bunches on one side of the bobbin or winds in a lopsided spiral, the thread may not be threaded through the tension disc correctly. Stop winding, remove the bobbin, and rethread from the spool. Make sure the thread passes through the tension disc — skipping this step is the most common cause of uneven winding.
If the bobbin winds too slowly or the thread keeps slipping, check that you wrapped the thread around the bobbin at least twice by hand before starting. A single wrap is often not enough to hold the thread while the bobbin accelerates. If the thread is old or very thin, wrap it three times instead of two.
Use the correct bobbin type for your machine
Singer makes several bobbin styles, and using the wrong one will cause winding and tension problems. The most common are the Class 15 bobbin (plastic, used on most home machines) and the Class 66 bobbin (metal, used on some older or specialty models). Check your machine's manual or the bobbin case itself — the correct type is usually printed there.
Plastic bobbins are less expensive and work well for most sewing. Metal bobbins hold their shape longer and are better for heavy use, but they cost more. Both types wind the same way; the difference is only in durability and cost. If you are unsure which type your machine uses, bring your machine to a Singer dealer and they will show you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wind a bobbin while the presser foot is down?
No. The presser foot must be up for bobbin winding. If the foot is down, the tension discs are engaged and will not let thread through properly. Always raise the presser foot before threading for bobbin winding.
What happens if I overfill the bobbin?
An overfilled bobbin will jam in the bobbin case, causing the thread to break or the machine to stop mid-stitch. The excess thread also creates uneven tension. Fill only until the thread reaches the rim of the bobbin, not beyond it.
How many bobbins should I have wound and ready?
Most sewers keep three to five wound bobbins on hand so they do not have to stop and wind in the middle of a project. If you sew frequently or work with many colors, having more bobbins saves time. One bobbin is enough if you sew occasionally.
Do I need to rewind a bobbin if it still has thread on it?
You can wind over old thread, but the bobbin will fill faster and may not hold as much new thread. For best results, unwind the old thread by hand or use a seam ripper to remove it, then wind fresh thread onto the empty bobbin.
Why does my bobbin thread keep breaking while I wind?
The thread may not be threaded through the tension disc, or it may be caught on the spool pin. Stop winding, check that the thread path is correct, and make sure the spool sits flat on the pin. Old or weak thread also breaks more easily; try a fresh spool.